Advantages and Disadvantages of Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) in Iran: A Study Based on Breeders' Perceptions

The purpose of this study was to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB). Seventy-six breeders were randomly selected from among 95 breeders who were working at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. Data were collected by a questionnaire as the main data collection instrument. The face and content validity of the questionnaire was approved by a panel of agricultural extension and plant breeding experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated and it turned out to be high, ranging from 0.83-0.92. The descriptive findings of the study suggested that the breeders had generally positive perception toward using PPB. The correlation analysis results showed that there is a positive and significant (p>0.01) correlation among the levels of familiarity with PPB, advantages, and breeders’ perception toward the use of PPB. In addition, there was a negative and significant (p>0.01) correlation between breeders' perception of the disadvantages faced by PPB and their perception of using participatory plant breeding. Finally,stepwise regression analysisindicated that the advantages and disadvantages of PPB explained about 58% of the variations in breeders’ perception toward using PPB

Supporting role of the agricultural extension services Perception of Lurestan Province, Iran wheat farmers and implications for agricultural extension instructors with respect to sustainable agricultural practices. as perceived by farmers in

Abstract This study is part of a bigger project aimed at designing a competency profile for agricultural extension instructors (AEI

Advantages and Disadvantages of Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) in Iran: A Study Based on Breeders' Perceptions

The purpose of this study was to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB). Seventy-six breeders were randomly selected from among 95 breeders who were working at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. Data were collected by a questionnaire as the main data collection instrument. The face and content validity of the questionnaire was approved by a panel of agricultural extension and plant breeding experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated and it turned out to be high, ranging from 0.83-0.92. The descriptive findings of the study suggested that the breeders had generally positive perception toward using PPB. The correlation analysis results showed that there is a positive and significant (p>0.01) correlation among the levels of familiarity with PPB, advantages, and breeders’ perception toward the use of PPB. In addition, there was a negative and significant (p>0.01) correlation between breeders' perception of the disadvantages faced by PPB and their perception of using participatory plant breeding. Finally, stepwise regression analysis indicated that the advantages and disadvantages of PPB explained about 58% of the variations in breeders’ perception toward using PPB

Supporting role of the agricultural extension services Perception of Lurestan Province, Iran wheat farmers and implications for agricultural extension instructors with respect to sustainable agricultural practices. as perceived by farmers in

Abstract This study is part of a bigger project aimed at designing a competency profile for agricultural extension instructors (AEI

Impact of Peripheral Factors on Reducing the Consequences of the Targeted Subsidies from the Greenhouse Owners' View Point: The Case of Semnan Province, Iran

The purpose of this study was to investigate the peripheral factors on reducing the consequences of the targeted subsidies from the view point of greenhouse owners of Semnan Province, Iran. The population of the study comprised greenhouse owners of Semnan Province. The sample size was calculated using Cochran formula and encompassed a number of 287 greenhouse owners. The main research tool used in this study was a questionnaire. SPSS v21was used to analyze the data obtained through the questionnaires. Based on hypotheses and theories, questions were designed, and after testing validity and reliability (based on the dependent variable Cronbach's alpha was calculated equal with 87.8) indices, modifications were performed. To examine the hypotheses of this research, the correlation coefficient was estimated, and a multiple regressions analysis was run. The results showed that current expenses, using the proper structures for constructing greenhouse, method of fuel use, the perfect place of heaters, and the use of skilled workers in the greenhouse had a key role in reducing the impact of targeted subsidies plan (dependent variable) on green- house owners. These variables explained 40.2 per cent of the variance in the dependent variable

Informal technical and vocational training programs and farming in the province of Esfahan, Iran.

Abstrac

COURSE EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS OF FARMERS IN ESFAHAN AS A BASIS FOR A COMPETENCY PROFILE OF EXTENSION INSTRUCTORS

Abstract . A perennial problem is the extent to which differentiation is needed as a consequence of the characteristics of the target group (Mulder, Wesselink, & Bruijstens, 200

The role of social capital in Iranian agricultural students' acquisition of generic skills

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the role of social capital in Iranian agricultural students' acquisition of generic skills. For this purpose, the effect of various social capital dimensions on students' generic skills development was examined. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was conducted among 190 third- and fourth-year undergraduate students in one of the colleges of agriculture and natural resources in Iran. The partial least square method was used to examine the relationships among various social capital dimensions (i.e. social values, social trust, social networks, social cohesion, social participation, social communications and information sharing) with students' generic skills. Findings: The findings showed that social networks and social participation are effective factors in the generic skills development of students. A model designed for the development of students' generic skills based on their social capital level predicted up to 33% of generic skills' variances. Furthermore, the multi-group analysis showed that males and females vary on how various social capital dimensions affect their generic skills. In this respect, the social participation dimension had a significantly greater impact on female students' generic skills, whereas the generic skills of male students were influenced more by the social cohesion dimension. Practical implications: Developing generic skills through social capital can be considered as an effective strategy in countries that do not have formal programs for developing students' generic skills. Additionally, higher education policymakers should present a more supportive approach for developing generic skills of female students through social participation in the campuses. Originality/value: So far, no study has examined the relationships among various social capital dimensions and students' generic skills in Iran. The picture is even more unclear when it comes to the differences between male and female students. The results of this study confirmed the importance of social networks and social participation in the universities to support students and to improve their generic skills and, consequently, their employability competencies. Furthermore, it could be inferred that male and female students have similarities and also differences in terms of the effect of social capital on developing generic skills that can provide a path for future studies.</p

Implementing conceptual model using renewable energies in rural area of Iran

In a glance, more than three billion people live in the rural areas of low and middle income countries. In most cases, rural households have many unmet energy needs including cooking, lighting, heating, transportation and telecommunication needs. The main goal of this study is Implementing Conceptual Model Using Renewable Energies in Rural Area of Iran. In this study, the Weibull and Angestrom distribution methods were used to assess the potential of wind and solar energy range in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province of Iran (The Case study). After determining the values calculated based on meteorological stations' data, the IDW interpolation method in GIS software was used for the entire geographic range of the province. After reviewing multiple regions and identifying potential classes, a village which has the potential to be enough sun and wind energy was selected (Kahkesh village) and then a field survey based on biomass resources was accomplished. The needs of rural residents and rural renewable energy potential was evaluated by study conceptual frameworks during one year. By dividing the value of frameworks energies the amount of energy saving can be calculated. Finally, it recommended that for utilizing the renewable energies in rural areas, as will be discussed in the present work and particularly using the conceptual frameworks, is performed